Aquatic exercise in older women with obesity: 16-week observational study
In this prospective observational study, older women with obesity who took part in a 16-week community aquatic exercise program showed greater improvements in several fall-related physical function measures and executive function than a comparison group; gait speed, endurance and IL-6 showed no significant group-by-time interaction. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Thirty older women with obesity were classified into an aquatic exercise group (n=15) or a comparison group (n=15) by participation, not by researcher assignment. [1]
The aquatic exercise group showed greater longitudinal improvements than the comparison group in several fall-related physical function measures, including body composition, muscular function and balance. [1]
No significant group-by-time interactions were observed for gait speed, endurance or IL-6, although IL-6 tended to decrease in the exercise group. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Prospective observational study
- Population / context
- Thirty older women with obesity
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 31, 2026
Older women with obesity in a community aquatic program
The study included 30 older women with obesity. Fifteen took part in an existing community-based combined aquatic exercise program for 16 weeks; the other 15 formed a comparison group and kept their usual daily activities. The researchers did not assign group membership. Fall-related physical function, executive function and the circulating myokines irisin and interleukin-6 were measured at baseline and at weeks 8 and 16.
Supporting source [1]
Greater gains in body composition, muscle function and balance
Compared with the comparison group, the aquatic exercise group showed greater longitudinal improvements in several fall-related physical function measures, including body composition, muscular function and balance. No significant group-by-time interactions were found for gait speed or endurance. Executive function showed a significant group-by-time interaction, and irisin also showed one, whereas IL-6 did not, although IL-6 tended to decrease in the exercise group.
Supporting source [1]
Observational design limits causal conclusions
This was a prospective observational study, not a randomized trial: participation determined the group, so other differences between the groups could explain part of the results. The authors describe the findings as associations with favorable changes in selected indicators of healthy aging, not as proven effects. The abstract reports 30 participants and measurements up to week 16; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This was a prospective observational study with self-selected participation, 30 participants and follow-up to week 16, so associations cannot establish causation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Seo YM, So WY, Kim KL, Lee YH. · europepmc.org · August 31, 2026